3 Days in Miami: Everything You Should Know
If you only have 3 days in Miami, don't worry! There is so much that you can do in Miami during this period of time, and you will still have a great stay in south Florida, even if you are a bit short on time. The weather in Miami and Miami Beach is excellent almost all year round, so you will also not have to worry about missing out on anything when you visit Miami during the winter. In fact, shoulder season can be the best time to head to south Florida so that places like downtown Miami and South Beach are not so busy and crowded.
The first thing that you need to take care of when you head to Miami for three days is to make sure that your luggage is safe and secure. You will want to make sure that you work with us to store your luggage in Miami securely before your head out to have fun during your trip.
Once your bags are in safe storage, there is no need to worry about missing out on fun outdoor adventures or losing items along the way as you take part in all that this lovely city has to offer.
Miami Itinerary - Day 1
The first day of your trip can feel a little overwhelming. There is probably so much that you want to do and see that you will feel pulled in lots of different directions! Planning your 3 days in Miami around this itinerary will help you to be sure that you don't have to give up on any of the things that you want to do most while you are visiting.
Morning
The first thing that you should do when you arrive in the Miami area, is head to Miami Beach. This is one of the nicest beaches in the area and it is less crowded in the morning. Make sure to check out Crema Gourmet Espresso Bar for a smoothie, delicious coffee options, and a quick bite to eat, or sit down for a satisfying breakfast at 11th Street Diner. The beach will be calling you after you have eaten and you can easily rent chairs and an umbrella once you get onto the sand.
If you have marveled at the ocean for a bit, you should head from here to South Beach for some shopping and to see the sights. This is a spendy area of town, but it is so worth it to head here when you visit Miami. The South Beach area is swanky and really enjoyable. This is the part of the city that everyone thinks of first when they are imagining Miami. While downtown Miami is much more affordable and basic, South Beach can offer you access to designer shops, beach swag, and even some celebrity sightings from time to time.
Afternoon
Check out Mama's Tacos for a hearty lunch, or go to the Yardhouse to have a beer and a burger before you carry on with your first day of fun during your 3 days in Miami. The Art Deco District is really close to this spot, and you will want to head there to see some of the beautiful art deco buildings and art deco architecture that Miami is famous for. There are also little shops and places to grab a snack or a coffee pick-me-up in this area if you need to take a little break after walking through the Art Deco District.
This part of the South Beach area is also a great place to rent a kayak or a paddleboard and have some fun in the water. If you did not spend time at the beach earlier in the day and just walked around, now is your chance to get into the water and enjoy some sunshine before dinner. If you are done with the sun and the sand, head over to Bayside Marketplace Marina and grab a boat for a sightseeing tour around Biscayne Bay. You can easily see Millionaire's Row and m
Night
You can stay in South Beach to go clubbing or grab some dinner, or you can head over to have dinner at Coral Gables. Coral Gable offers access to lots of really upscale dining options like Hillstone and Graziano's, but there are also lots of less swanky places if you want to have a casual meal and a glass of wine to close out your first day in Miami. You will not be eating on the water here, but the ocean breezes still reach you, and the palm trees and street art are just as quintessentially Miami as the beach. A trip over to Coral Gables needs to be on any Miami Itinerary, and you will be glad that you decided to spend some time here when the lights on the palm trees are on and the evening atmosphere has rolled out onto the street.
Miami Itinerary - Day 2
The second day of your 3 days in Miami needs to be spent in downtown Miami. This is one of the key areas to see things like street art, to enjoy access to local art in art galleries, and to go shopping. Your Miami itinerary needs to include some hours in the downtown Miami area as well as the beaches and restaurants near the water.
Morning
There is a trolley that runs throughout downtown Miami, so you can get a little break from the sun at any point that you need it. You might be staying in this part of town and planning to grab breakfast as your hotel, but if not, you will want to grab a quick bite at B Bistro + Bakery or sit down for a quality meal at Cafe Bastille.
Once you have eaten, you will want to head over to Wynwood Walls to check out the street art. More than 50 artists from all over the world have contributed art to this huge wall. If you love contemporary art of various kinds, this is going to be a really fun stop for you on the second day of your 3 days in Miami. The Art Deco Museum is in this area, and so is the Miami Beach Botanical Garden. You can easily ride the trolley from the center of town back toward Miami Beach as well if you wish. Downtown Miami is very accessible and there are little shops and places to grab a bite to eat in nearly every neighborhood in this part of town.
Afternoon
Get lunch overlooking the water at The Wharf Miami, or you can choose to head to Little Havana for a food tour. There is a huge Cuban culture presence in the Miami area as a whole, but a stop in Little Havana is a must during your stay to make the most of this lovely part of Miami Beach. You can get all kinds of classic Cuban food in this area, and walking down Calle Ocho will give you access to eateries, fantastic shopping, local art galleries, and so much more. You will feel transported to an entirely different part of the world when you visit Little Havana.
If you want a different kind of afternoon, you can shop at Bayside Marketplace with an adult beverage in hand. This is a great spot to wander through local wares, enjoy street food of all kinds, and try out delicious drinks like mojitos made to be strong and delicious. You should also consider Cuban coffee as part of your Little Havana experience that can't be missed.
Night
You can choose to have a multi-course meal in Little Havana, or you can head to Espanola Way for a fancy meal and some shopping. You can also go back downtown or to Biscayne Bay and find your dinner of choice with ease. This is such a big city that you can get a meal for any taste as well as find a bar with any kind of atmosphere that you might be looking for. On-the-water dining can also be booked easily, and you can head out from various parts of the Miami Beach or South Beach area on a dinner cruise if that's more your style. Just make sure that you check the weather for the evening and have a light jacket on hand if it will be cooler.
Miami itinerary - Day 3
The last of your 3 days in Miami should be the most exciting! You will want to plan all of your big adventures for this day if possible. Being dressed for having fun all day long will make it simple to enjoy excursions and other kinds of outdoor adventures on this final day in the Miami Beach area.
Morning
Get a quick bite to eat in the downtown area or even in Miami Beach itself, and then head to Everglades National Park. Airboat tours are the best kind of fun to have at Everglades National Park, and you will love the thrill of this kind of experience combined with the sights and sounds that you will take in as you ride. The morning is a great time to avoid humidity while you are on your Everglades National Park tour, but do make sure that you have bug spray with you since you will be out where mosquitos and other insects are numerous.
Biscayne National Park is another good stop for your morning spent away from the city, and you can head here for snorkeling adventures. There is a lot of coral to see in this park, and the cooler temps will be welcome as the day starts to warm up. Plan on warm weather for these adventures during any season, but you might want to have a light coat with you in case you find that it is unseasonably chilly. For those who are not that interested in the water activities on offer here, there's hiking in Biscayne Bay to enjoy as well.
Afternoon
A sleepy afternoon on Miami Beach or South Beach might be just what the doctor ordered for this last of your 3 days in Miami, but you can also plan to do something more interesting for your final afternoon in the South Beach or Miami Beach areas. The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a great afternoon activity since you will be out of the sun for a bit. This is one of the older homes in the area and you will love the architecture as well as the lovely walking paths and garden spaces.
You can also rent a moped and just ride around checking out parts of the city that are not as touristy. There are so many really nice local stores and smaller shops slightly away from the Miami Beach and South Beach area that you can enjoy, or you might just want to get a different view of the city skyline.
If you want to enjoy some more cultural things during your 3 days in Miami, this is the right time to head to Perez Art Museum Miami or to the Philip and Patricia Frost Museum. These spots offer access to interactive exhibits and information about southern Florida and Miami history.
Night
Many people spend their last night having dinner at the hotel because they are so tired, but you can also spend your last night in the city by hitting up South Beach nightclubs like Mango's Tropical Cafe or Story. Your 3 days in Miami might also be closed out with a walk through South Beach or Miami Beach, just taking in the sights and sounds one more time. Spending 3 days in Miami can be a whirlwind, and a little reflection can be a nice way to close out your last night in this lovely city.
A Weekend in Miami Can be a Ton of Fun
No matter what activities you decide to enjoy while you are spending a weekend in Miami, you will want to be sure that your luggage is in secure storage before you start having fun. Worrying about your bags will just make your trip tense, and you will have so much more fun enjoying Miami attractions if you are not dealing with heavy suitcases all day.
